BGordon

I see, I think.
Are you saying that the air intake duct sits on top of the bumper with no trimming to fit? If so, that is a huge relief. I have been worried that the bumper has to be notched heavily to allow the air inlet and filter to fit.
Another question. Where does the air feeding the intake come from?
Hopefully, in front of the radiator but not blocking flow from the radiator?

SupaDupaSteve

I mean there definitely was trimming but as I said it doesn't compromise it at all. It sits in front of the radiator just above the opening in the bumper. I wouldn't think it blows any measurable amount of air from the radiator.

ToySnakePMC

This thing is EYE CANDY.

SupaDupaSteve

Well, took the car on its first real trip this weekend. Actually 2 trips.. Drove across state to Miatapalooza on Saturday and went to cars and coffee in palm beach today, Sunday. Over 300 miles logged. Only real issue is that my used transmission isn't as the seller described to me. 6th gear doesn't work, feels like it goes in but as soon as I let out the clutch it kinda grinds and doesn't have engagement as I can rev the engine. Pretty disappointed in that, but that's the risk you take on 2nd hand parts that are 15+ Years old. But after some research I felt I was safe to drive still as 5th worked still.

Initial experience is that the car is a lot of fun, and surprisingly well sorted. Aside from the trans issue no problems. Never gets hot, drives well, and puts a smile on your face. Although I do have to say that I'm extremely nervous about it still and it's kind of hard to really enjoy it knowing how much time and money I have into it.

Miatapalooza was really fun and I got to park with other LS cars next to the V8 Roadsters booth. Car got tons of attention and everyone loved it. Fuel economy was fairly poor for that first trip. Prior to that trip I had around 100 miles of mixed city and backroad driving and my speedometer wasn't working so I wasn't able to really track mpgs. I think it was around 15 mpg, averaging around 65-70 in 5th gear at 2600-3000rpm. However this morning I drove to cars and coffee in palm beach and drove about 140 miles total and my fuel gauge is just a touch below half after filling up this morning. Both trips were driven nearly the same, couple times where I used the right pedal but nothing excessive at all. Just thought it was kind of weird but can't complain about getting better fuel economy.

SupaDupaSteve

I suppose I'll update my price list and add some pictures. Heres where I pulled a valve cover off after about 100 miles to check on everything and make sure it looked good. Everything looks ok, but I want to pull them back off and check to make sure the rockers are contacting the valve tips squarely and recheck pushrod lengths to see if anything has changed. Car runs great and has no abnormal issues but has a little more valve train noise than I'd like.


Also, at Miatapalooza I chatted with shandelle and picked up a lightly used front bbk for a great price.



Here's some other pics from the past couple weeks.

SupaDupaSteve

Ok time for another update after I've had some time to put about 1700 miles on the car. Firstly I'll ask if anyone in Florida has any recommendations on a good tuner, the guy that did it initially didn't do the best job and i just want it done right. Willing to pay whatever and drive wherever I need to within the state.

My fuel line in the rear near the filter was too low so I redid that with a section of soft line. I used red horse hoses and fittings for the most part during my build. I highly recommend them as they are budget friendly and still are high quality parts.


I finally got the car wet sanded and polished in preparation for the show I registered for, Tuner Evolution in Daytona. Ended up taking home 1st place Mazda!







After I got home from the show I finally was able to get the full exhaust done on the car. Full 3" stainless. Honestly though I feel like it might be a little too quiet and I might do a cutout or smaller muffler later on. But otherwise I'm thrilled with the exhaust. They did an amazing job.













And lastly while I was changing the oil I see the transmission is leaking from the tail shaft housing a good amount. Also a very small amount of wetness from engine oil at the bell housing. Not sure what the source of that is. At some point I'll have to pull the transmission to get it rebuilt or buy another and swap it out. Kinda upset that the guy I bought it from sold me a **** transmission that leaks and doesn't have 6th gear. Oh well. And lastly I noticed that the clutch master cylinder had some nasty fluid in the reservoir already. Pretty dark compared to the brake fluid. They both got the same fluid at the same time. All the clutch components are new so again not sure why but I cleaned the reservoir out and replaced the fluid and will monitor it.

SupaDupaSteve

Also, here's a couple videos of the new exhaust sound.
Cold start and idle

Mild acceleration

R2564952

love the new videos. Where do I cunnect tach wire from ls harness? I done research with no luck and saw you figured that out on the cold start video

ToySnakePMC

W O W. That pretty exhaust system should win its own award. Having my own single 3" routed around the Ford 8.8 dif, I am in pure awe and jealousy having seen what you have here. Why can't I find an exhaust artist like this??

Sounds nice and very similar to mine. Just love the sleeper look with single outlet. We can always cut the bumper for that second outlet someday later if we want to, lol.

And also somewhat like you, my brake reservoir fluid turned darker but my clutch fluid remains light. Not sure why either.

Congrats on the 1st Place. That's pretty cool. I'll bet that paint looks 12 feet deep now under the lights! Great V8M..!

pj_mcgarvey

That paint though!

The single exhaust will be easier to remove when you have to pull the trans, glad to hear it sounds great, it def. looks good.

My Clutch MC fluid turned noticeably darker as well after very little use, and all new components. I may have used NAPA fluid I bought in a pinch when the better stuff wasn't available. But it will get flushed and checked on with better fluid. Maybe something with the new components is getting broken in.

SupaDupaSteve

Well, photobucket is going to die a quick death I feel with the move they just pulled. I'll have to pull and repost all the images in this thread. It's going to take some time to do though, so if anyone wants/needs the images you can find most on Instagram @Supadupa_Steve

pj_mcgarvey

Imgur.com is great... photobucket is truly horrible.

SupaDupaSteve

BGordon

Nice looking rubber.
Please refresh me on your wheel specifics so I don't have to look back over your previous 10 pages of build.
I have been debating on tire & wheel packages but can't seem to make the various parts of my brain agree.

SupaDupaSteve

SupaDupaSteve

ToySnakePMC

SupaDupaSteve

tbone heller

Talk to the parts guys at your local Ford dealer. They should be able to introduce you to one of the Ford technicians that actually know what they are doing that might be able to rebuild that differential for some cash on the side. I used to build them and do gear swaps all of the time.